After seeing some of the changes on the blog of a dear friend whose occasional political musings I respect (even if they're "wrong" *snicker*), I realized that I need to once again play catch-up myself. Fortunately, I think it should be relatively easy to sum up my thoughts on the summer political season.
Both former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner and media mogul Rupert Murdoch "screwed" the public with their self-serving actions. Whether one is progressive or conservative, a public or private citizen, greed and egoism apparently does not discriminate.
Usually when a deal is struck in Washington and no one is happy about it, I feel then it must be a good compromise. However, I don't think I would apply that to the debt ceiling agreement. Although I do concede that Federal spending needs to be cut, I also believe there was a missed opportunity regarding higher income/net worth households and corporations. Granted, progressive aspirations to reverse the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts may have had unintended consequences on some of the middle class. However, increasing tax revenues on households earning above, say, one million dollars would have had made a huge difference in closing the Federal deficit.
Perhaps the one saving grace is that if the newly-appointed bi-partisan "Gang of Twelve" does not come to a more specific agreement on spending cuts and tax revenues by December, an automatic trigger goes into effect that cuts defense spending, a sacred cow for conservatives and strict constitutionalists. Personally, I don't know why the spending cut portion of the $1.5 trillion couldn't be spread out percentage-wise through all of the Federal budget, even the holy grails of entitlement Medicare and Social Security. I suppose that would have been too "easy"...
On a final note related to one of the other proverbial hats I wear...apparently the US is loosening its restrictions on visiting Cuba under the premise of cultural tours. This would add to the educational(?) travel packages as well as family visits by Cuban-Americans that are already permitted. While some say this action should not have been taken, I have also read commentary that the US Government is hypocritical since we allow travel into - let alone do business with - fellow Communist China, paper democracies such as Russia and Venezuela, and less-than-benevolent kingdoms such as Saudi Arabia. I believe there is substance to each point of view.
On the one hand, the major difference between Cuba and the other countries I referenced is that the latter countries allow their citizens to leave the country. (Whether there are positive/negative incentives for Chinese citizens to eventually return home is another subject.) On the other hand, I would personally not want to visit any of these places unless/until human rights issues, particularly the ability to travel outside one's borders, are resolved. I hope that I can avoid being put in a position that does not intersect with my business.
Showing posts with label George W. Bush. Show all posts
Showing posts with label George W. Bush. Show all posts
Friday, August 12, 2011
Friday, November 19, 2010
Playing The Percentages
I read an article recently which, in defense of extending the Bush-era tax cuts to the wealthy, claimed that those in the upper-incomes pay seventy-something percent of all taxes. For the sake of argument, let's say that they pay 75%.
I'm reminded of my college sociology class where the professor said that despite stereotypes, people would be "shocked" to hear that white people actually make up the majority of prisoners in the penal system. My first thought was, "That's because there's more white people in the country. Duh!"
By the same token, it would make sense to me that the wealthy pay 75% of the country's taxes as they bring in (at least) 75% of the country's revenue. "Duh!" We're not even accounting for international tax shelters and other options to which the lower and middle classes don't have access.
At best, fiscal conservatives may say that the lack of upper-income tax cuts on financial and employment recovery was due to concern about fighting two wars during the first six years and insecurity about presumably "anti-business" Democratic goals during the last four years.
At worst, I believe that the wealthy, just like most everyone else in these economic times, simply held onto their money to preserve their standard of living.
In the end, it would appear that Democratic Congress members from moderate-to-conservative states who, fearing a later Tea Party-fueled backlash, will not cap an extension of the Bush-era tax cuts during the upcoming lame duck session. Given that the Bush/Obama stimulus packages have had all of two years to work, it will be interesting to see how rapidly the extended tax cuts "trickle down" for the greater good over the next two years.
I'm reminded of my college sociology class where the professor said that despite stereotypes, people would be "shocked" to hear that white people actually make up the majority of prisoners in the penal system. My first thought was, "That's because there's more white people in the country. Duh!"
By the same token, it would make sense to me that the wealthy pay 75% of the country's taxes as they bring in (at least) 75% of the country's revenue. "Duh!" We're not even accounting for international tax shelters and other options to which the lower and middle classes don't have access.
At best, fiscal conservatives may say that the lack of upper-income tax cuts on financial and employment recovery was due to concern about fighting two wars during the first six years and insecurity about presumably "anti-business" Democratic goals during the last four years.
At worst, I believe that the wealthy, just like most everyone else in these economic times, simply held onto their money to preserve their standard of living.
In the end, it would appear that Democratic Congress members from moderate-to-conservative states who, fearing a later Tea Party-fueled backlash, will not cap an extension of the Bush-era tax cuts during the upcoming lame duck session. Given that the Bush/Obama stimulus packages have had all of two years to work, it will be interesting to see how rapidly the extended tax cuts "trickle down" for the greater good over the next two years.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Obama and Bush: Peering Into The Reflecting Glass
It’s been quite a while since I shared. My obligations to work and school took up most of my time and my brain. That’s all changed but I’ll get into that in another post.
I continue to feel that when the Democrats and Republicans in Washington look at each other these days, they should see a reflection of themselves in the previous administration. In many ways, it’s as if they ignored recent history and are therefore doomed to repeat it. There are probably numerous examples but here are some of the most obvious ones.
GW Bush took office shortly before the tragedy of September 11th, an emotional and financial disaster that will take decades to recover from.
Obama took office and shortly afterward expanded upon Bush’s bailouts of the mortgage, banking and auto sectors, an emotional and financial disaster that will take decades to recover from.
The questions surrounding the 2000 Florida vote recount was an ongoing controversy during the Bush Administration. To this day, there are some that say he should not have been elected while others say he simply played by the rules.
The questions surrounding the legitimacy of a Hawaii birth certificate is an ongoing controversy in the Obama Administration. To this day, there are some that say he should not have been elected while others say he (or rather, his family) simply played by the rules.
Bush’s signature goal was to privatize a portion of Social Security, an effort that was met with stiff opposition from Democrats, other progressives, many independents and even a few Republicans.
Obama’s signature goal is to socialize a portion of health care, an effort that, while passed, was met with stiff opposition from Republicans, other conservatives, many independents and even a few Democrats.
Those who opposed Bush’s war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan were painted as “unpatriotic” by his most strident supporters.
Those who opposed Obama’s universal health care plan were painted as “uncaring” by his most strident supporters.
Bush attempted to fill a Supreme Court vacancy by nominating Harriet Miers, a woman who had no judiciary experience.
Obama is attempting to fill a Supreme Court vacancy by nominating Elena Kagan, a woman who has no judiciary experience.
In response to an expletive that Bush declared about a reporter, Vice-President Dick Cheney agreed “big time”.
In response to the signing of the healthcare bill, Vice-President Joe Biden blurted out that it was a “big f****n’ deal”.
The reality of a Republican-controlled Administration and Congress (not to mention Court) spurred the mobilization of such political organizations as Move On as well as news sources such as the Huffington Post.
The reality of a Democratic-controlled Administration and Congress (and aging Court Justices) spurred the mobilization of such political organizations as the Tea Party movement and Freedom Works and news sources such as World Net Daily.
Despite losing the Presidential nomination, the loyal support that Howard Dean received was recognized as he was rewarded by being named the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Despite losing the Vice-Presidential election, the loyal support that Sarah Palin received was recognized as she has been rewarded by becoming the de facto “face” of the Tea Party movement.
Of course, we’ve previously covered the audacious declarations of both Kanye West and Glenn Beck, respectively.
And finally:
Bush was criticized, particularly by Democrats, for his slow response to Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in the Gulf Coast. His response was that he trusted the states to do the right thing.
Obama was criticized, particularly by Republicans, for his slow response to the oil rig devastation in the Gulf Coast. His response was that he was trusting British Petroleum to do the right thing.
Now if we can just keep any potentially dangerous objects out of Joe Biden’s hands, it might tip the scales in Obama’s favor!
I continue to feel that when the Democrats and Republicans in Washington look at each other these days, they should see a reflection of themselves in the previous administration. In many ways, it’s as if they ignored recent history and are therefore doomed to repeat it. There are probably numerous examples but here are some of the most obvious ones.
GW Bush took office shortly before the tragedy of September 11th, an emotional and financial disaster that will take decades to recover from.
Obama took office and shortly afterward expanded upon Bush’s bailouts of the mortgage, banking and auto sectors, an emotional and financial disaster that will take decades to recover from.
The questions surrounding the 2000 Florida vote recount was an ongoing controversy during the Bush Administration. To this day, there are some that say he should not have been elected while others say he simply played by the rules.
The questions surrounding the legitimacy of a Hawaii birth certificate is an ongoing controversy in the Obama Administration. To this day, there are some that say he should not have been elected while others say he (or rather, his family) simply played by the rules.
Bush’s signature goal was to privatize a portion of Social Security, an effort that was met with stiff opposition from Democrats, other progressives, many independents and even a few Republicans.
Obama’s signature goal is to socialize a portion of health care, an effort that, while passed, was met with stiff opposition from Republicans, other conservatives, many independents and even a few Democrats.
Those who opposed Bush’s war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan were painted as “unpatriotic” by his most strident supporters.
Those who opposed Obama’s universal health care plan were painted as “uncaring” by his most strident supporters.
Bush attempted to fill a Supreme Court vacancy by nominating Harriet Miers, a woman who had no judiciary experience.
Obama is attempting to fill a Supreme Court vacancy by nominating Elena Kagan, a woman who has no judiciary experience.
In response to an expletive that Bush declared about a reporter, Vice-President Dick Cheney agreed “big time”.
In response to the signing of the healthcare bill, Vice-President Joe Biden blurted out that it was a “big f****n’ deal”.
The reality of a Republican-controlled Administration and Congress (not to mention Court) spurred the mobilization of such political organizations as Move On as well as news sources such as the Huffington Post.
The reality of a Democratic-controlled Administration and Congress (and aging Court Justices) spurred the mobilization of such political organizations as the Tea Party movement and Freedom Works and news sources such as World Net Daily.
Despite losing the Presidential nomination, the loyal support that Howard Dean received was recognized as he was rewarded by being named the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Despite losing the Vice-Presidential election, the loyal support that Sarah Palin received was recognized as she has been rewarded by becoming the de facto “face” of the Tea Party movement.
Of course, we’ve previously covered the audacious declarations of both Kanye West and Glenn Beck, respectively.
And finally:
Bush was criticized, particularly by Democrats, for his slow response to Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in the Gulf Coast. His response was that he trusted the states to do the right thing.
Obama was criticized, particularly by Republicans, for his slow response to the oil rig devastation in the Gulf Coast. His response was that he was trusting British Petroleum to do the right thing.
Now if we can just keep any potentially dangerous objects out of Joe Biden’s hands, it might tip the scales in Obama’s favor!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Glenn, Kanye and Me
By now most everyone is aware of the recent claim that Glenn Beck made regarding President Obama on the Fox News Channel. Needless to say, I found this rather outlandish considering Obama's maternal family, the people in his administration, and his success in drawing significant support from voters of all ethnicities when he won the election. My first thought (and probably second, third and fourth thoughts as well) was that the Fox News executives should demand that he apologize for his incredulous statement under threat of dismissal. The fact that he apparently not only hasn't apologized but hasn't even been suspended is rather telling and shocking to me.
But then I remembered what Kanye West said about George Bush following Hurricane Katrina. I have to admit that at the time I wondered whether there was more than a kernel of truth to that accusation, conveniently ignoring the prominent positions that Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice each held in the Bush administration. In retrospect, I believe that Bush was not a racist but perhaps a classist. But getting back to Kanye, I wouldn't have been surprised if he suffered a Dixie-Chicks style backlash which would have effectively ended his career. Instead, these days you can't go more than ten minutes on a pop station, let alone an R&B/hip-hop station, without hearing Kanye on a track. Even I must admit that I have enjoyed some of his songs over the last few years.
So it appears that Glenn and Kanye, despite their inflammatory accusations of Presidential-sponsored racism, will each continue to have successful careers due to the support of fans who ignored if not even believed these falsehoods. And that, I believe, truly makes for a sad state of affairs here in America.
But then I remembered what Kanye West said about George Bush following Hurricane Katrina. I have to admit that at the time I wondered whether there was more than a kernel of truth to that accusation, conveniently ignoring the prominent positions that Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice each held in the Bush administration. In retrospect, I believe that Bush was not a racist but perhaps a classist. But getting back to Kanye, I wouldn't have been surprised if he suffered a Dixie-Chicks style backlash which would have effectively ended his career. Instead, these days you can't go more than ten minutes on a pop station, let alone an R&B/hip-hop station, without hearing Kanye on a track. Even I must admit that I have enjoyed some of his songs over the last few years.
So it appears that Glenn and Kanye, despite their inflammatory accusations of Presidential-sponsored racism, will each continue to have successful careers due to the support of fans who ignored if not even believed these falsehoods. And that, I believe, truly makes for a sad state of affairs here in America.
Friday, November 14, 2008
I Feel Your Pain
To those who are dismayed about the advent of a Democratic President presiding over a Democratic Senate and House, I have to say, in the words of Bill Clinton, I feel your pain.
In fact, I felt it for six years when President Bush held sway over not only a Republican legislative branch but also established a conservative majority in the Supreme Court.
It would be "easy" for me to say that conservatives had their moment in the sun and blew it... but instead, I'm actually nervous.
I'm nervous that the Democrats will see the history of 2001-2007 and doom themselves to repeat it.
As much I as I'd like to see a progressive agenda in the White House, I'm afraid that Barack Obama will overreach and demand that Congress move in lock step with him... just like George W. Bush.
I'm concerned that Joe Biden, using Dick Cheney as a template, will stretch the legal authority of the office of Vice-President even further. As fond as Joe is of Amtrak and other transit, will he have a "Secret Transportation Policy" conference a la Cheney's Energy meetings?
Will Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid invoke the uncompromising spirits of Dennis Hastert and Trent Lott, respectively?
Will the Democratic Senate and House demand "up and down" votes against which it will be the GOP members who will find themselves using a filibuster?
Only time will tell. I truly hope that Obama is successful in accomplishing the commonly agreed upon issues on his agenda so that 2010 doesn't bring a return of the a GOP Congressional majority... and the gridlock of the past two years.
In fact, I felt it for six years when President Bush held sway over not only a Republican legislative branch but also established a conservative majority in the Supreme Court.
It would be "easy" for me to say that conservatives had their moment in the sun and blew it... but instead, I'm actually nervous.
I'm nervous that the Democrats will see the history of 2001-2007 and doom themselves to repeat it.
As much I as I'd like to see a progressive agenda in the White House, I'm afraid that Barack Obama will overreach and demand that Congress move in lock step with him... just like George W. Bush.
I'm concerned that Joe Biden, using Dick Cheney as a template, will stretch the legal authority of the office of Vice-President even further. As fond as Joe is of Amtrak and other transit, will he have a "Secret Transportation Policy" conference a la Cheney's Energy meetings?
Will Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid invoke the uncompromising spirits of Dennis Hastert and Trent Lott, respectively?
Will the Democratic Senate and House demand "up and down" votes against which it will be the GOP members who will find themselves using a filibuster?
Only time will tell. I truly hope that Obama is successful in accomplishing the commonly agreed upon issues on his agenda so that 2010 doesn't bring a return of the a GOP Congressional majority... and the gridlock of the past two years.
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